August 22, 2026
WINS, LOSSES, OUTS
Crocs, Glocks win, Thirds down, T-Birds out.
A Century of the Red & Black
Old Xaverians proved the stronger team when it beat Old Haileybury at Keysborough by 54 points. In doing so, they completed their season's nine-game road trip without a loss or a draw. VAFA digital records extend back to the 2011 season, and no other team has accomplished this feat in those 14 home and away seasons.
The shortish, wide green lawn of Haileybury College looked a treat as the players took the filed under sunny skies. The X-Men struck first. Two minutes in, Sam Fisher spied Oli Sestan, who marked inside the 40 arc and chipped to Charlie MacIsaac, who kicked truly. That bright beginning was not sustained, as the next seven minutes in the main, were played in the Bloods’ front half. courtesy of a few turnovers from the visitors, a goal from the Magentas after a few missed chances put them in front. At 11 minutes, the Bloods missed another chance and the Claret and Stout were well and truly under siege.
It wasn’t until the 13-minute mark that the X-Men put another chain together. Again, Sestan gave it off, and Sam Fisher marked and goaled to restore the lead. Xavs wasted another opportunity and the Bloods passed it forward for their second goal at 17 minutes. As the clock wound to 20 minutes, Tex Wanganeen rolled one through as he took possession at the end of a chain of handballs. A minute later, he booted his second after a strong contested chest mark. Xavs missed a sitter and the Bloods swept forward. It took them several minutes, but some ill-discipline and a poorly chosen backward pass, not for the first time this season, cost the Red ‘n’ Blacks a goal. At the first change, the home team trailed by just a goal.
In the second stanza, Xavs moved forward early in proceedings but were restricted to just three minor scores. At seven minutes, a stoppage in Xavs forward line, and MacIsaac snapped a beauty on his left. And then there were more wasted opportunities before, Wanganeen booted his third at 15 minutes and Oli Sestan had his third assist after picking off a kick-in. At 17 minutes, Tommy Dunne raced down the ground, giving and taking, and Ed Delany off-breaked it through from close in. The Bloods kicked their first for the term as they entered time-on and the margin was reduced to 23 points. Big Al Spralja bombed another long one from well outside the arc. At 24 minutes, Wanganeen goaled again after he swooped on a floating backward pass. A minute later, Delany was in the right spot to give Sestan his fourth assist. On 30 minutes, the hosts scored another after taking advantage of some sloppy disposal. Xavs cleared from the restart when a brilliant Wanganeen shepherd opened it up for Stirling Phipps-Parsons, but the attack fizzled and the siren sounded with the X-Men 37 points to the good.
There was no score for the first seven minutes of the term,when Haileybury scored a rushed behind. MacIsaac missed two early chances from wide out but those were probably the highlights as Xavs mucked around with lazy eight-metre passes and risky handballs that did nothing to advance their cause. Haileybury goaled twice and the Xavs needed to get their act together. Instead, they played boundary line bingo with little purpose or effect until Wanganeen unselfishly crossed nicely to Phipps-Parsons, who booted Xavs’ 11th and their first for the term. MacIsaac went around the corner on his left and split the sticks and they went to the lemons with the Red ‘n’ Blacks up by 38.
To begin the last, Xavs had three forays forward in three minutes, and each time went wide of their targets. At six minutes, Xavs turned it over and the home team goaled. On the restart, Stavrou kicked down the corridor to Delany, who flew high for the mark and then goaled.
At 16 minutes, after a long lull, Sestan slipped it to Wanganeen,who gleefully kicked his fifth. At 21 minutes, after four assists, Sestan finally kicked one himself as the visitors broke from defence and set up the loose man. In the end, Xavs won by nine goals. There was a bit to like and also a few things the coaches will point out in match review.
St Bernard's (67) scored just a point in the final term and were over-run by Old Brighton (77) at the Snakepit. Uni Blacks (92) were behind by 23 points at the first change, but Scotch (77) failed to score in the final term and went down. Uni Blues (113) had a better day at home when they clipped Caulfield (71). St Kevin's (100) were too strong for Old Trinity (69).
Next week:
Haileybury @ Blacks: Bloods will be relegated if they lose or draw.
Scotch @ Xavs: X-Men can take the minor premiership with a win about six goals greater than Blues' winning margin.
Uni Blues @ St Kevin's: Blues will retain top spot with a big win.
Trinity @ Bernard's: The Snow Dogs are relegated. If Haileybury wins, Trinity OR Caulfield, should they both lose, will be relegated according to percentage.
Brighton @ Caulfield: Brighton will likely finish fourth, third at best. If Haileybury wins, Trinity OR Caulfield, should they both lose, will be relegated according to percentage.
Old Haileybury had a better result against Old Xavs than they did earlier in the year, managing this time to field a team. The Red 'n' Blacks comprehensively sealed the minor premiership with a 20 goal win at Keysborough, after bringing up their ton before half-time.
Charlie Holmes continued to burn as the X-Men clobbered the Bloods, who admittedly did better after the long break. Next week, Xavs take on the Cardinals to finish the home and away season.
The WOX Twos fell to a narrow defeat when a shot in the dying minutes was touched on the line. Had the ball carried anoter few inches, the goal would have sealed a terrific last quarter comeback.
Wattle Park go through to the Preliminary Final. For Gabby Golds' team, disappointment, but a terrific seaon to remember despite the problems most weeks with numbers. It's time for the WOX to recruit.
Will Hanegraaf led a hungry pack of Xavs to a big R17 victory over Parkdale at Gerry Green. The win kept the Xavs on track for the double chance and a clash with Old Brighton in two weeks. After building a handy five goal lead by half-time, the X-Men kicked into a higher gear, scoring 10.4 to 1.4 after the break.
The Red 'n' Blacks must beat SBMT this week to ensure they finish in the top two. Should Scotch pull a surprise win over the Tonners, top spot is still a possibility.
Collegians proved far too strong for the young Xaverians, who could not sustain a significant defence against the rampant Lions. The Purples won the first three terms to setup the margin, but to their credit, the Red 'n' Blacks had a strong last term to split returns at 6.2 apiece.
The Lions move on to the finals and the Red 'n Blacks can look forward to watching our U19 Premier and other Xavs' teams fight for flags.
Best Players and Goal Kickers not provided.
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